Palin said in a statement Wednesday that the Republican Ellmers has an "uphill battle against a truly out of touch incumbent." Ellmers is challenging Democratic Rep. Bob Etheridge, who kept his seat with two-thirds of the vote in 2008.

Ellmers said both she and Palin are concerned about the direction of the country.

Etheridge responded by saying that it is Palin and Ellmers who are out of touch with mainstream North Carolinian values, calling their agenda "far right."

The 2nd District seat covers the southern Raleigh area and a swath of central North Carolina.

Former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is endorsing North Carolina congressional candidate Renee Ellmers.Palin said in a statement Wednesday that the Republican Ellmers has an "uphill battle against a truly out of touch incumbent." Ellmers is challenging...